raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raise (audio)
Definition of raisenext
1
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position he asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they had been to his show before

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2
as in to foster
to bring to maturity through care and education since she was only two when her mother died, the girl was raised mainly by her aunt

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3
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being a proposal to cover the library's red brick with vinyl siding raised a mighty ruckus with those favoring historical preservation

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4
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

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5
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position the mattress will fit into the moving truck only if we raise it on its side

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6
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

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7
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care raises ducks, geese, and other exotic fowl ultimately destined for the dinner table

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8
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

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9
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

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10
as in to introduce
to present or bring forward for discussion one member of the tour raised the subject of appropriate attire for visits to sacred sites in the Holy Land

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11
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

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raise

2 of 2

noun

as in increase
something added (as by growth) the school board approved a raise in the maximum family income for students qualifying for reduced-price lunches

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb raise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raise are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

In what contexts can boost take the place of raise?

The synonyms boost and raise are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for raise?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When might heave be a better fit than raise?

In some situations, the words heave and raise are roughly equivalent. However, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When could hoist be used to replace raise?

The words hoist and raise can be used in similar contexts, but hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use lift instead of raise?

Although the words lift and raise have much in common, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

How do rear and raise relate to one another?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of raise
Verb
Children dance with pride in native regalia at the cruise port and some community members who had left are returning to open new businesses and raise families. —Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025 Von der Leyen has proposed that the EU's executive branch, the European Commission, raise up to $161 billion on financial markets that would be loaned to member countries buy new military equipment for themselves, or to send to Ukraine. —arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Smith has a base salary of $14.8M in 2025 and will almost certainly want a significant raise or an extension. —The Athletic Nfl Staff and More, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025 Whoever in the Writers’ Room decided to name this man Chad deserves a raise. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
  1. lift
  2. foster
  3. provoke
  4. elicit
  5. erect
  6. build
  7. grow
  8. increase
Verb
  • Another benefit: The 40-degree curvature lifts the lashes from the roots to the tips and reaches every hair from the beginning to the end of the lash line.
    — Anna Bader, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Comments from Hansi Flick and players such as Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Pedri communicate that Barca will give its all to lift the trophy for the first time since 2015, while some are already pointing to the Blaugrana as the favourite.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Nicholas Lalla highlights in Reinventing the Heartland that one of the most common mistakes cities make when trying to foster entrepreneurship is treating it as a short-term project rather than a long-term investment.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The fund, which seeks to foster economic development in traditionally underserved communities, approves grants on a competitive basis.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Sometimes, that means getting outside of the Court’s comfort zone of an orderly appeals process when individual judges single-handedly provoke a separation-of-powers crisis.
    — The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Every question elicits a thoughtful pause and an even more thoughtful answer.
    — Damien Scott, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Some studies use higher doses to elicit health benefits.10 Ketone salts: A form of ketones that combines ketone acids with sodium or other electrolytes to enhance their effectiveness.
    — Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • The city erected the artwork in 2020 amid sweeping, nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The proposal is to tear down the former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation center at 29 Highland St. and erect a pair of four-story apartment buildings.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Given the six-year time estimate to build a new hospital in San Marcos, there is no way that major seismic work at Mercy will be finished by 2030.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
  • These eventually unravel, and build to an emotional wallop.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Ranunculus flowers, also known as Persian buttercups, are native to Turkey but have been grown along the northern San Diego County coast for at least 90 years, Times reporter Christopher Reynolds wrote.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • So, the bigger his star grows, the more valuable Soto is to the Mets as a TV product.
    — Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Certain parlays have increased odds, giving customers the chance at more winnings.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • When his playing time increased in the postseason, Garner was prepared to make an impact.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

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